I Have No Link to Judgment Favouring Okorocha Over Uzodimma — Wike

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has rejected claims that he had any connection to a Federal High Court ruling that nullified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s status as the All Progressives Congress candidate for Imo West Senatorial District and instead recognised former governor Rochas Okorocha as the party’s nominee for the 2027 election.

Speaking during a live media chat on Thursday, Wike described suggestions tying him to the judgment as mischievous. He insisted he neither filed nor took part in the case.“First of all, anybody calling my name is being mischievous. I didn’t go to court. I’m not in APC. I don’t know what the issue is,” he said.

Wike also commented on reports that Uzodimma had warned against a “Rainbow Coalition” in Imo State a day before the ruling, reportedly threatening to seize the vehicle of anyone promoting it. He called the alleged threat uncivilised.

He further addressed a circulating video of him dancing with Okorocha, explaining that it was recorded when he hosted the former Imo governor while Okorocha was still in office.The October 29 judgment by Justice Obiora Egwuatu in Abuja directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Okorocha as the winner of the APC senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026, and to replace Uzodimma’s name with Okorocha’s.

The court found that Okorocha had secured the majority of lawful votes. Okorocha had challenged INEC’s recognition of Uzodimma.The Imo State APC chapter has disputed the ruling, and Uzodimma has signalled plans to appeal.Speculation about Wike’s involvement arose partly from political differences with Uzodimma over the proposed Rainbow Coalition.

The arrangement aims to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid across party lines without requiring participants to abandon their parties or back APC candidates in other races. Wike, who remains a PDP member, has said PDP supporters could back Tinubu for president while supporting their own party’s candidates for other offices.

In a recent interview, Okorocha praised the coalition idea and said he planned a similar alliance in Imo State to rally support for Tinubu. Wike defended the approach on Thursday, stressing that the priority should be ensuring the president’s victory while allowing flexibility on other contests.